Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

Q. Both vulnerable, as South you hold:

xK J 3 u9 8 3 v10 6 4 wK Q 7 3

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1v 2u* ?

*weak

What action do you take?

A. Pass and see what happens.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xJ 9 5 uK 8 vA Q 8 7 3 wA 9 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 2u 3w

?

What do you bid now?

A. Partner’s jump shift was game-forcing and, since partner must bid again, you have a very convenient way to describe your hand — pass! Our second choice would be a raise to three hearts.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xK Q 5 u6 vA K Q 9 7 6 wK 10 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1v Pass 2w Pass

?

What do you bid now?

A. If partner’s two-over-one response was game-forcing, the raise to three clubs has considerable appeal. If not, we like a jump to three diamonds to show a solid suit and extra values. We don’t mind if you follow that course even if partner’s bid was forcing to game.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

xA 9 8 uJ 10 7 vA K J 10 wA 10 6

The bidding has proceeded:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST

1NT Pass 2w 2x

?

What action do you take?

A. Pass and hear what partner does.

Q. Neither vulnerable, as South you hold:

xQ 10 6 uK vK J 10 6 5 wK Q 9 2

The bidding has proceeded:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST

1u Pass 2v Pass

2u Pass ?

What do you bid now?

A. If your initial response was not a game force, bid three clubs — a jump to three no trump should suggest a better holding in the unbid major.

Q. As South, vulnerable, you hold:

x8 3 uK J 10 vJ 9 6 wQ 10 7 6 2

Partner opens the bidding with one diamond. What do you respond?

A. The expert point of view is that there is no reason why you should want to be declarer at a no-trump contract and would opt for a response of one heart. The worst that could happen is that you would be declaring two hearts with a 3-3 fit!

2008 Tribune Media Services